When It Rains by LM Bluejay
Troublesome Observations
Troublesome Observations
.
The mechanical clock on the wall struck 8:15. Night had already conquered the sky. Its thousands of bright flowers were in full bloom. The picture nature presented was mesmerizing. The lazy boy chair’s leathery cushion had him ensnared. Flames from the sandy brick fireplace kept him warm. The comic panel in the paper held his attention. The surrounding peace brought him comfort…until she suddenly entered the room.
He waited patiently for her to speak.
“Why?” she finally pouted. “We were perfectly prepared to receive them.”
“She misplaced some prescription.”
“But did you have to send them both?”
Gurinman sat the paper on the nightstand. The flickering flames filed the silence. “It’s only one more day. They will be back in the morning.”
“Morning is too far away. I should be pinching his chubby cheeks now.” Lady Kaiya took a seat beside him.
Gurinman’s fingers crossed together. “He’s a bit big for having pinched cheeks. And Lord Sesshomaru is, well, concerned.”
“About what? His paternity? I thought you already had them checked out?”
“The DNA score was accurate.”
“Then why the twisted knicks?”
“You mean knickers in a twist?”
“Why are you sitting here talking about panties when we should be discussing my grandpup’s absence? Honestly, sometimes you’re almost as bad as that horny hound Yoga!”
“Toga, my Lady?”
“This fascination of yours with women’s garments.” Eyebrow arched, a sly grin rose on pink lips. “You’re not coming out of the cupboard are you?”
The words were out before he could stop them. “Yes! I-I mean no!”
“Well which is it? Unless it’s both...”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he hissed. “You’ve known me for years.”
“So? Time has a way of altering things.”
“And clearly you’re a prime example. Now then, where was I? Ah, yes. Lord Sesshomaru’s brilliant discovery. During my investigation I was as thorough as possible, but when I look back at it now I’m completely embarrassed.”
She edged closer. “And?”
“Sho Higurashi is twenty-three years.”
“Is that it? Darling, that’s nothing new.” She suddenly gasped excitedly. “But you do have a point. He’s already twenty years young! But how to make up for the lost time?” Lady Kaiya pondered briefly then pounded her fist. “Yes! I think I’ve got it. So much to plan, so much to do!” While calling her assistant she quickly fled the room.
“Lost time indeed. I wonder...” Reaching into his pocket Gurinman pulled out his phone. “I’ve got another job for you. Same as before, be as discreet as possible.”
---
Back at the guest house Inuyasha sat at the table brooding.
“Pain is like oblevus…oblavius…fuck it, deaf misery. You ain’t really felt the shit ‘til you can’t feel it anymore.” The rhythmic thrumming against hard wood stopped. The pen in his hand took to the page. “My own fucking heart knows this shit well enough ‘cause today marks twenty-one days since SHE first put us in this fucking hell.”
A low growl rumbled. “Must you be so loud?”
“Must you always be such a Moby prick? Here I am trying to fuckin’ express myself and you keep commenting after every fucking word. Gawd!” He released a frustrated huff. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere playing house?”
“They’re coming back in the morning.”
“So your doom’s been postponed. But what about tomorrow? You gonna face him like a man or run with your tail between your legs?”
A tiny grin crept up his face. “I’m going to take her up her request. Meanwhile the boy stays here with you until his mother’s worries have been pacified.”
Inuyasha almost choked. “Oh hell no! Fuck that. I’ve got enough problems on my own. Ain’t got no room to be shouldering yours, too.”
“Here me out little brother.”
“No! I’m not fucking babysitting anyone. And why are you dumping him on me, poser?”
“Because you both have so much in common.”
Dark eyes pinned Sesshomaru down. “Oi. Just what are you trynna say.”
“Inuyasha, look. You’re the only one I trust. Also, you have the ability to smoothly ease him into his role.”
He wasn’t usually one for flattery, but since it came from his brother gave it thought. ‘No’ was at the tip of his tongue but instead he said, “Fine, I guess. But don’t you dare try to milk this. It’s a small favor only. Not a permanent position.”
“Hn.”
---
Meanwhile back at the Higurashi residence.
"ACHOO!" Sho covered his mouth.
“Bless you,” Kagome told him. “Are you sure you’re OK?”
“I’m fine. Just finish what you were saying. Something about a broken promises? I don’t know. I’m still lost.”
“Are you absolutely sure you don’t want anything?” she hedged on.
“No more stalling would be nice,” he smiled. “You’re a Higurashi for crying out loud. And since when have you been so mousy?”
“I know I know!” she groaned. “It’s just that what I had in mind and wanted to do got completely overridden by whatever circumstantial problems that they’re currently facing. Like I was trying to tell you before you rudely interrupted me…”
“Hey!”
“…your safety is my sole priority. It’s always been my intent to tell you…just after I met him first. I mean the way Gurinman described him made it seem like he was a big underground kingpin.”
“I know,” Sho laughed. “So you’ve said several times. You also mentioned drug lord and Asian mafia, but why not throw ninja assassin into the mix as well. I mean the guy’s name is like ‘killing something’ right?”
Kagome sheepishly chuckled with him until her small smile morphed into a frown. “You’re not mad at me are you?”
“Of course I am!”
She winced.
“How could you not tell me I had a rich dad? My student loans could have been paid almost a month ago if not sooner.”
She stared at him skeptically. “Is that seriously all you’ve gotten from that?”
“Well I mean money doesn’t grow on trees. And a little help would be nice. Gas n’ electricity and cable still need to be paid, too. With the job I have now I can barely afford gas.”
“Speaking of cars…”
Sho’s hands clapped suddenly. “So how much do you think I’ll get in my inheritance?”
“Who knows? But hang on.” Kagome walked right up to him and stared him in the eyes. “For someone receiving life altering news you’re certainly taking this fairly well.”
His eyebrows slightly twitched. “Maybe I’m just naturally good at handling stuff.”
“And maybe I’d have better time believing you if I didn’t know my own son.”
He couldn’t argue with her there. Though he’d hoped he could’ve gotten away with it. So with a heavy sigh he confessed. “To be fair…Uncle Naru hinted at it.”
“That gossipy bitch!”
“Stop it. He was only the fuel to my curiosity. I found out on my own after reading the letters.”
“Wait! What? Really!? How?”
“Why are you so surprised? You had them sitting out once in the open. I think you forgot to put them up that time you rushed out for some sale. But yeah, I’ve already known for a while. I was just hoping that you’d eventually man up to tell me, but somebody wanted to be stubborn. Ms. I don’t wanna talk about it. Ms. Ask me about it one more time and I’m gonna chuck all your systems to the curb.”
“OK…”
“Ms. I’m gonna rip your hair out as subtly as possible just to see…”
“Alright already! I get it! Geez!” She lightheartedly pushed him. “I guess…I could have handled that better.”
“Yah think? Next time keep me in the loop. Kay?”
“I will.” She embraced him with a big hug. “So, how do you feel? About meeting your dad, I mean.”
“Well…it’s not a five year old waking up on Christmas morning excited so much as it’s a I can finally get these collection agencies off my back excited. And before you say anything I’m not a gold digger. I’m just an ambiguous mid class person with fiscal needs.”
Kagome shook her head and sighed. His surprising delight had caught her off guard. It was oddly nice. She suddenly found herself wondering if by the time he learned the true nature of his circumstance...would he be able to take those news with just a grain of salt as well.
--◘◘◘--
Prompt: Danger
Words: 1400
A/N: Thanks for reading!! :)